The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-09-03
VERY SOUR GRAPES.
A Story of Malta.
BY DAVID KER.

There were flow sharper fellows In the Maltese port of Valetta, and therc were certainly very few greater rogUes, than old Jacopo Fcroni. who was boatman, a guide, an interpreter. and fruit-Seller. Jaoopo's enemies used to say that he found fruit. selling the most profitable of all, and 1t was un- doubtedly the one for which he Ap- peared to be naturally fitted. lis long. skinny fingers seemed made on purpose to slide into other peoples pockets, or through half-open doors and windows and his one eye had the look of being always on the watch tor the chance ot playing some cunning trick upon every one whom he met. As one might expect, Jacopo had plenty of ill.wishers. who, having suffered from his rogucrics, would have liked nothing better than to sec him punished, But to trap such a sly old fellow was uo esssy matter.
 Now, It happened that one morning a British transport steamer came into Valctta harbor, bringing home num- ber of sick and wounded soldiers from the Black Soa, this being the time of the Crimcan wal Of course. she was instantly surrounded with swarm of shore boats, and among the first Ia run alongside was our friend Jaeopo feroni, who never lost chance of urning penny or ot stealing one.
 On her way westward, the trans port had touched at one ot the Grrck islands ;o take In some fruit for the sick men, and the head steward had bought large stock of grapes to re- fresh the invalids when they were thirsty. Unluekiiy some of the finest grapes were not quite ripe when he got them, so he had kep, them hang Ing in the sun ever since, just inside the portholc of his pantry.
 You'd better shift those grapes some where else, Harris" sald the first officer. as the steamer glided in- to the harbor. "rhe gangway runs up just outside, and some of these Maltese rascals arc certain to spy the fruit and reach in for it as they come up the ladder"
 "lt'll be sour grapes on 'em, If they do, sir" answered the steward, with n grin. "l wouldn't put my hand into that basket, not if you was to give me shilling for it."
 "Why, what Is it? Let me see"
 ''Blcss you, sir. don't you touch IL, unless you want to give the doctor job" cried Mir. Harris, catching his arm. Look hewi"
 He cautiously lifted the topmost bunch of grapes, and displayed a largo rat trap, with the spring set.
 "Not q bad idea" chucklcd the oiiI- ccr "your traps nicely baitod, and I'll bc bound you'll soon find some game in it."
 And SO 1t proved. Tho tempting fruit did not escape Master 1acopo's keen eye, and In moment his long, lean, supple hand slipped like an eel through the portholc and into the basket. Instantly frightful yell was heard, which made everybody rush to the spot but when they saw .Jacopo Feroni caporing and screcching like madnan, with his arm thrust through the port hole, they easily guessed what had happened.
 "lIollo, old chap! !" shouted a sailor, looking over the ships side at him. "IIas your fist grown too big tor the porthole all of "A siddenI"
 "Iiadn't you better cut of your hand, Uncle Jncopof" cried n big Italian boatman from below. "rll lend you my knife with pleasure, if you haven't got one"
 "Squee1c your body In through the hole. if you can't get your hand out" hallooed n fruit-scller, whose basket had suffered more tlan once from fcroDi's light fingers.
 The news of Jacopo's misfortune spread like wildnre. The deck above and the waters below were All alive with grinning faccs, and the jecrs and laughter grew louder and louder every moment, till it seemed to poor old Jacopo AS if the whole population of Malta had assembled to make merry over his punishment, which he had certainly well deserved. At last the head steward took pity upon him, and opened the trap, when our lnckleas hero, binding ap h!s bleeding fingers as well as he could, slnnk away amid A roar of laughter that seemed to shake the very air. But the mishap taught him B very good lesson, and there was not much heard Of his thieying after that CosDa0Dotfton NaGdzfnc.
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